The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1887-12-23

Z r.
on the security OF her furniture and other
property, had made sundry pecunilry
advances. She now asked for an exten-
sion OF time to pay the instalment which
WAS due, and she even limited that a fur
ther advance would be acceptable, an
outbreak OF scarletina having caused a
stampede among her pupils. The letter
concluded with a sentimental appeal
about this festive season, when all
hearts should be light and gay Light
ness and gaiety be hanged - growled her
creditor why didn she think OF this
before she borrowed my money -
Tire second letter was thoroughly lcgi-
ble, being in that stiff upright hand al
fectcd by lawyers clerks. 1t WAS in fact
from Mr.. PinniGer's solicitors, Messrs.
Doublewaite, Ferret and Sharpe, and IN
formed him that, in accordance with his
instructions, they had levied 4 distress
on the goods and chattels OF Mr.. David
De Kay, watch escapement maker, OF
Bell Street, Clcrkenwell, +. G.. Poor
devil - murmured Mr.. Pinniger in 4
tone of contemptuous pity. Il ought
never TO have let him have q farthlng
l ought to have seen that he was on the
road TO ruin
Mr.. Pinniger's meditations were inter
rupted by the reappearance OF Snead.
III YOU please, sir, the Parcels Delivery,
apoiogizlng for delay caused by CHRIST
mas
"Coniound Christmas - rauttcred Mr..
1fnniger with warmth.
Has brought an amper"
Bring 1t upstairs, spread cloth on
the carpet, and open 1t here"
Il am glad not TO be altogether forgot
ten he sOlilOquised bachelors, even
when well-to do, are apt to be neglected
AT this season" This with a sigh. "But,
otter all, l daresay,' he added bitterly,
1T comes from some fellow who wants 10
soft-sawder me ; who bats with \ sprat
to catch 4 whale"
Presently Snead reappeared with tho
hamper in his arms. He painted genteel-
Iy, a. one who WAS unacCustOmed to Yul-
gar burdens
prom the weight, and the hcfluvia,
sir, | should guess It WAS brace OF phe-s-
ants and an are.
boat guess, but open it," observed
his master dryly.
Thus admonished, the valet knelt
down, and began 10 uniasten the string
which secured tile hamper. Beneath.
there N.as an abundant layer OF straw,
an when this had been taken out. the
ChIIstl--as present became partly visible.
-,!ihouc aEIE.sli, II was neither plIeG~-
ant paEtriis' grouse or hare; indeed,
e-cc. II a !aT:ct, hci sens-, il could NOT
be descI. bed AS g-.me II all.
1t would need ,he pencil OF 4 skilled
artist - DO justice 10 Mr. >neal's face rs
hC cautiously drew forth the carcass OF a
ARG Uiac-- caI which had evidently been
decreased for many DAYS, and around
who's neck label was tied bcariu, the
following inscription
y seasonable gilt Tor Mr.. ii. Pinniger.
May lac receive many such. He deserves
them"
>D.afrs foco ,,-,s ne ,F,,..,;I' a. =,
for painter. Chasteuei wrath, with \
digniticd compassion for the EMPLOYER
who had thus been sligltcd, were there
skIiu.ly combined But whether, when
safely ensconscd in his pau.-y, | IS dis
Crectcst OF va.cts sniggeTed over the
coars' prErJIral 5oAe !, a matt r VITA
which this history nee not concern it
self. The only words hr uttered were
1t : downright insult n
Tax It away, Suc.d. said his master
calmly, but preserve tho hamper, tine
address card, and tn. label Thcv may
be useful as a clue 10 Identification
Snead went away feeling rally humiii-
ated. Coming upstairs he h .lieyed that
he was carrying a gIft worthy OF \ prince,
now he knew that he W : bearing down
stairs repulsive piece of carriyn.
As soon as he left the room, Pinni.,1r
rose softly and locked the door. Then
he seated himself at the table. buryin,
ms hands. When ne uncovered his face.
his cye!Ids were red, AMI there was a
visible moisture on his cheeks. The
strong stern man had evidently shed
tears.
",iod help me-" he murmured. "I
have not = friend in the world. Every
one hates me, and deserve to he hate :
After = while no became caliuer, and
gong to his bureau, unlocked n drawer,
from which he drew forth his Private
iedger, volume which he had often
IaS'Inated and absorbed him. In Oil
days those who wGro fond Of money
loved 10 feel tho touch AMI hear the
chlnk Of the actual coin. Modern re-
nneinent Is satisfied with less coarscr
device, and the perusal OF our ledger
balances serves IN lieu OF handling bags
OF gold and silver
But on this occasion the volume sacred
to the worship of Plutu5 had lost its
charm, and once more Pinniycr covere
ms lac with his hands, and groaned
aloud, Hated by every one"
linen occurred a memorable scene.
Once more the imprisoned giant. Con
science, burst forth rcSistless from his
casNet, and stood face to faLc with his
owner.
>oon afterwards Snoad was summoned
by hls masters brll.
Sncad, | want the \ B c Guide"
The valet silently placed it before him.
The service OF trains on Christmas.
Day Il, | think, the same IA on SUNDAY ,"
"Precisely As on Sunday, sir"
Il shall not dine at home. Pack nv
small portmantcau, and have a hand
some at thc door for the l:i5 train from
Waterloo
Very good, sir" replied Saoad, ~
lmpertur5abiy as il he had been asked
10 rSPieiilsh the tro from the coal
But his lmperturbability was merely
external and on retiring To his own
domain he commenced thus with him
self:
What heyer's hup with the governor?
It's all along OF that bcastly eat"
ON Christmas Day the train ccrvicos
arc apt 10 hc ''dishorsanizcd.' Gs Ut
Sncad would say, ana, Therefore. Mr.
iinn.nSer did not reach Firliuy station
tiA Rate IL was three miiys - Haz.c-
dean, but a all the flies hal been pre-
cng'scd by holiday makers. nc decided
To walk, hiring boy TO carry bis mort
maut"lu- In such unpretendiur EtvIr
did the rich brother 20 to visit TIC l,o1r
one. 49,
rs he trlmprl IN silence by tho sid,
OF hiS rustic attendant his heart oglaks.l
with IN IndcscrI bablc sense OF f.tr AMI
Anxiety 1t i five years since | s..gy
Eiun, three years since We exchanged let
ters' but II iIc Spura5 Iue, | shall 10 some
thing desperate"
Presently they emerged from tho ,larl,-
nNSs oi the rusi among the li-hts oI thn
village ot la -ledean, and a lew moments
later the rays OF red lamp disclosed a
door bearing brass plate.
This her. be DIR. Pinniger's," pro
4